Rj45 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 – How do they differ?

These three items have a lot of confusion around them, especially because of their relation to each other. How are they related, and what makes them different?

The reason that these items bring confusion is quite likely their relationship to one another. They are all used in the transmission of data between routers and computer devices. So how are they related and how do they differ?

What are the differences between the Rj45, Cat5e and Cat6?

Device	Rj45	Cat5e	Cat6
Physical Attributes	Rectangular solid plastic with pins for transmission	Long cable with copper wires and pvc jacket	Long cable with copper wires and pvc jacket
Functionality	Linking Ethernet cables to routers	Transmission of data from routers to computers	Transmission of data from routers to computers
	Check Price Here	Check Price Here	Check Price Here

The Rj45 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 – How do they compare?

Physical Characteristics

The Rj45 connector is a small device made from rigid plastic that is clear. It is long and rectangular, and it has a width of 11.69mm. It has slots through which the copper wires from Ethernet cables go, and it connects these wires to the network source.

The Cat5e is an Ethernet cable that is long and can measure up to 220 meters in length. It uses copper wires to transmit data, and it usually has 8 copper wires in total. These wires are each covered in thin pvc to prevent them from coming into direct contact.

The Cat6 is also an Ethernet cable that has an average length of 220 meters. Much like the Cat5e, it uses copper wires for data transmission, and has 8 wires which are also coated in pvc to prevent them from touching directly.

 Functionality

The Rj45 connector has an 8P8C configuration which means that it has 8 positions and 8 connection points. It can accommodate up to 8 wires at a go. This device has pins made of copper. They act as the conductors, and they are coated in gold to prevent them from rusting.

The Cat5e mainly transmits data from the router to the computer device by means of copper wires. It has a transmission speed of 1000Mbps and a bandwidth of 100MHz.

The Cat6 also transmits data from the router to the computer device. It achieves this using copper wire. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps but this distance reduces to 1000Mbps at distances more than 55 meters. It has a maximum bandwidth of 250MHz.

Rj45 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 Overview

Rj45 Connector

The Rj45 is a connector that links Ethernet cables to network sources. It is a small rectangular device that measures 11.69 mm across and it is made using rigid plastic that is clear. It has an 8P8C configuration that allows it to handle 8 copper wires at a time. It uses copper pins as conductors, and they are gold coated to prevent rust.

Pros

• It has copper pins that are coated in gold to prevent rusting
• It can handle 8 copper wires at a go

Cons

• It cannot be used for other cables other than Ethernet cables

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Cat5e Ethernet Cable

This cable is ideal for gigabyte transmission. It has a maximum transmission speed of 1000Mbps and a bandwidth of 100MHz. It has 8 copper wires that are used for the transmission. The wires are covered in pvc coating to keep them from coming into direct contact, then they are twisted into 4 pairs. The cable is then covered in a flexible pvc coating.

Pros

• It is flexible
• It is quite affordable

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Cat6 Ethernet Cable

This cable is much faster than the Cat5e cable. It is preferred for data transmission in home and office settings. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps, but this speed reduces to 1000Mbps at a distance of more than 55 meters. This cable is very structurally sound, but it is quite difficult to bend. The reason for this is a spline that runs through the entire length of the cable. It ensures that the twisted pairs of wire do not rub together which reduces the chances of crosstalk.

Pros

• It has a high transmission speed
• It has a broad bandwidth
• It is a strong cable

Cons

• It is difficult to bend, making it hard to install in sharp bends.

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Conclusion

These three devices are important as far as data transmission goes. It is clear, however, that each of them has different capacities and applications.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to use other connectors for Cat5e and Cat6 Cables?

Yes, it is possible. The Rj45 is, however, the most ideal connector.

2. Can the Cat6 cable be used outdoors?

Yes, it can. It would, however, be advisable to pass it through a conduit to protect it from damage from harsh weather.